Disclosures

What to do if your child tells you he or she has been sexually abused:

Believe your child. Children rarely lie about sexual abuse

Listen carefully and calmly. Be supportive of your child for telling you about the experience

Gently encourage the child to tell you more

Let the child know that:

He/she did the right thing in telling you

You believe him/her

He/she did nothing wrong

You are sorry about what happened

You will do the best to protect him/her

love him/her very much

He/she can come and talk to you any time

Call 1-800-452-1999 or your local law enforcement agency for further advice and direction

Tips To Parents

Teach your child that NO ONE has the right to touch them in a way that makes the feel uncomfortable

Teach your child proper names of body parts to further assist in educational development an to avoid confusion should an incident need to be reported

Instruct your child to ALWAYS tell you when anyone asks them to keep a secret

Listen to your child. Never ignore any concerns or fear your child may express to you

Assure your child that you will help them with any problems they may have

If, in exploring this troubling issues, you find yourself facing difficult memories of sexual abuse you experienced as a child, it may be too painful for you to discuss these prevention concepts with you children. A therapist could help you resolve buried feeling- not only for your own well-being, but for that of your child. Consult our directory page for more information about clinical services.